Cessna 152 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 2435 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.

2435

All Events

1714

Incidents

326

Minor

130

Serious

255

Fatal (386 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Oct 23, 1997 TORRANCE, CA N89257 Incident substantial
failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during a touch-and-go landing, which resulted in an inadvertent ground sw…

failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during a touch-and-go landing, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve, an encounter with soft terrain, and a nose over. The sudden gust of wind was a related factor.

Oct 18, 1997 NORMAN, OK N93116 Incident substantial The pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a porpoise and subsequent collapse of the nose gear.
Oct 17, 1997 QUINCY, IL N68299 Incident destroyed
improper in-flight planning/decision by the flight instructor (CFI), by switching 'OFF' the fuel selector valve of the single-engine airplane (starvin…

improper in-flight planning/decision by the flight instructor (CFI), by switching 'OFF' the fuel selector valve of the single-engine airplane (starving the engine of fuel) to 'simulate' an emergency. Factors relating to the accident were: the soft and uneven terrain conditions in the emergency landing area.

Oct 15, 1997 PIQUA, OH N6154Q Incident substantial The student pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind condition. A factor in this accident was the crosswind condition.
Oct 11, 1997 JULIAN, CA N67293 Fatal (1) destroyed
The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning which resulted in VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions and the loss of aircraft control. Co…

The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning which resulted in VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions and the loss of aircraft control. Contributing was the pilot's overconfidence in his ability, clouds, and rain.

Oct 05, 1997 DOVER, DE N89627 Incident substantial The pilot's misjudgment of distance and speed which resulted in an overrun of the runway.
Oct 03, 1997 WEST CHESTER, PA N94999 Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane.
Sep 10, 1997 MURRIETA, CA N65406 Incident substantial
failure of the flight instructor (CFI) to ensure an adequate preflight of the airplane, and his failure to properly quantify or verify the fuel onboar…

failure of the flight instructor (CFI) to ensure an adequate preflight of the airplane, and his failure to properly quantify or verify the fuel onboard before departing on a dual instruction flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a forced landing.

Sep 01, 1997 ZAVALLA, TX N89268 Incident substantial
the pilot's improper planning/decision, becoming lost/disoriented during the flight, and selection of unsuitable terrain for an emergency/precautionar…

the pilot's improper planning/decision, becoming lost/disoriented during the flight, and selection of unsuitable terrain for an emergency/precautionary landing. Factors relating to the accident were: the hazy weather condition, and rough terrain in the precautionary landing area.

Aug 31, 1997 IMPERIAL, CA N65273 Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing and to arrest porpoising after an improper recovery from a bounced landing. Factor…

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing and to arrest porpoising after an improper recovery from a bounced landing. Factors in the accident were the misjudging of distance and speed during a downwind landing.

Aug 26, 1997 WEST PALM BEACH, FL N6216Q Incident substantial
the flight instructor's (CFI's) inaccurate assessment of fuel available for the flight, and his improper in-flight planning/decision by continuing the…

the flight instructor's (CFI's) inaccurate assessment of fuel available for the flight, and his improper in-flight planning/decision by continuing the training flight with minimal fuel, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power.

Aug 25, 1997 MECCA, CA N152RJ Incident substantial fuel exhaustion as a result of the student pilot's inadequate preflight and failure to refuel.
Aug 12, 1997 SAN MANUEL, AZ N757CS Incident substantial
The student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft. A factor related to the ac…

The student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft. A factor related to the accident was the pilot's fatigue from improper rest the evening before the flight.

Aug 10, 1997 DUNLAP, TN N6270H Incident substantial a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Aug 08, 1997 MACON, GA N757WL Minor substantial The loss of control of the airplane due to the pilot's improperly planned approach and failure to maintain adequate airspeed.
Aug 02, 1997 PLYMOUTH, MA N89242 Incident substantial Inadequate compensation for wind conditions by the pilot. A related factor was the crosswind.
Aug 01, 1997 CAPE CORAL, FL N93011 Incident destroyed Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons resulting in a forced landing to unsuitable terrain.
Jul 20, 1997 ARCADIA, FL N152DG Incident substantial failure of the right nose wheel steering linkage. The close proximity of the fence was a related factor.
Jul 16, 1997 SHERMAN, TX N4870B Incident substantial The pilot's delayed landing flare and his improper bounced landing recovery technique.
Jul 14, 1997 LUFKIN, TX N5238H Incident substantial
The loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, which resulted from the student pilot becoming disoriented. A factor was the lack of suitable terrai…

The loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, which resulted from the student pilot becoming disoriented. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Jul 12, 1997 GILA BEND, AZ N4594B Minor substantial
the pilot's failure to verify the fuel quantity prior to departure, and his failure to perform sufficient en route fuel consumption calculations durin…

the pilot's failure to verify the fuel quantity prior to departure, and his failure to perform sufficient en route fuel consumption calculations during the cross-country flight.

Jul 02, 1997 MADERA, CA N64954 Incident substantial the student pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment during takeoff.
Jul 02, 1997 FORT WORTH, TX N69073 Minor substantial
fuel exhaustion, due to the pilot's failure to refuel before taking off on the remainder of the flight after making a precautionary landing. Factors …

fuel exhaustion, due to the pilot's failure to refuel before taking off on the remainder of the flight after making a precautionary landing. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot becoming lost and disoriented, and the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.

Jun 29, 1997 GORMAN, TX N6099L Minor substantial
the student pilot's improper inflight planning/decision, and selection of unsuitable terrain for a precautionary landing. Factors relating to the acci…

the student pilot's improper inflight planning/decision, and selection of unsuitable terrain for a precautionary landing. Factors relating to the accident were: a fluctuation in the electrical system, due to an undetermined reason, the student pilot's lack of confidence in her personal ability, and soft terrain in the precautionary landing area.

Jun 27, 1997 FORT LAUDERDALE, FL N6597Q Incident substantial the pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a hard landing and collapse of the nose landing gear.
Disclaimer: This data is sourced from the NTSB Aviation Accident Database. NTSB events reflect reported accidents and incidents and do not necessarily indicate a defect in the aircraft type. Many events involve pilot error, weather conditions, maintenance issues, or other factors unrelated to the aircraft design. This information is provided for research purposes only — consult official NTSB reports for complete details.
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